Southeast Asia Information Port (www.dnyxxg.com) – The 18 Cambodian soldiers captured by Thailand arrived safely in Phnom Penh by helicopter on the afternoon of December 31st, having departed from Battambang Province.
At 2:30 PM that afternoon, the helicopter carrying the 18 soldiers landed at Phnom Penh's old international airport. A grand and warm welcoming ceremony was held. Prince Men Sam An, Supreme Advisor to the King; Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Affairs Hun Many; Minister of Commerce Chan Neemo; and Phnom Penh Mayor Khun Sreng, among others, attended the ceremony.
Furthermore, the families of the 18 soldiers were waiting at the airport to welcome their loved ones home safely. Upon seeing that the soldiers were in good health, the families were overjoyed.
The soldiers' return not only touched the hearts of the government but also inspired patriotism among the general public. Large numbers of students and local residents spontaneously gathered along the main roads of Phnom Penh. Waving Cambodian flags and cheering, they expressed their highest respect and sincerest greetings to these brave warriors who had served their country. To ensure that every soldier felt the nation's care and could smoothly reunite with their families, the Phnom Penh Municipal Government arranged several air-conditioned public buses. After the ceremony, these buses transported the 18 soldiers and their families safely back to their hometowns free of charge.
This welcoming ceremony not only demonstrated the Cambodian government's high regard for the safety of its soldiers but also highlighted the Cambodian spirit of unity and solidarity between the military and the people.
